Oil-separator for steam-engines



(No Model.)

J. H. EICKERSHOPP.

OIL SEPARATOR FOR STEAM ENGINES.

Patented June 2,1891.

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NITED STATES JOHN II. EICKERSHOFF,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CINCINNATI, OIIIO.

OlL-SEPARATOR FOR STEAM-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,(502, dated June 2,1891.

Application filed September 19, 1890. Serial No. 365,569. (No model.)

To all whom it may conccr:

Be it known thatI, J OHN ILEIcKERsHoFn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cincinnati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Oil-Separators for Stean- Engines, of which the following is aspeeification.

My invention relates to an overfiow-trap and oil-Separator for use inconnection with crank-cases of steam-engines, or in other machineryWhere a body of water and oil is employed to lubricate parts by theirmovement intermittently therein.

To this end it consists in a double chamber constructed and arranged ashereinafter set forth, connected with an outer overfiow-cup, whereby theexcess of water is trapped out without removing the oil.

Mechanism illustrating my invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of a portionof a steam-engine crank-case to which my invention 'is applied, showingthe device in axial section; Fig. 2, a top View of the trap; Fig. 3, aplan section taken. through the apertures of the outer and inner casingsin the planes of each set of apertures; Fig. 4, a sectional view,corresponding with Fig. 1, of a modification of the apparatus adaptingit to be placed wholly outside of the crank-case; and Fig. 5, anenlarged section of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, A designates the c 'anh-case of a commonform of engine, having open-ended cylinders mounted thereon, with theirpitmen B extending into the crank-case attached in the usual manner tocrank-wrists C. The lubrication in such cases is aceomplished byfioating a stratum of oil on a body of water in the case into which thecranks dip in their rotation, thus splashing the oil and Water over theinterior parts. By leakage and condensation of steam, however, the bodyof water increases, thus rendering necessary some means of trapping offthe water. The constant agitation, however, causes the mingled liquidsto assume somewhat the character of an emulsion and renders the removalof the water difficult without also removing the oil.

To efieet the separation of the oil and water, I employ atrapping-vessel constructed in the preferred form. The trap consists ofan elongated cylindrical casing F, which may be projected through thebotton of the crankcase A and held thereto by a peripheral flange a atabout mid-length of the casing. The casing F is closed at the bottom andprovided with a somewhat conieal top f, having a central opening b and amarginal annular opening or series of openings c. A horizontal conicaldiaphragm d is placed centrally in the casing F, substantially similarto the top f, having central and marginal openings, and the casiug F islaterally pierced with a series of openings just above the diaphragn (Z.The upper part of the casiugF is surrounded by an outer casing E,resting upon the fiange a and extending to near the top of the innercasing, to which it is held by radial lugs e and screws, leaving anannular-space chamber between the casings, open above and communicatingbelow with the crack-case by radial apertures g. A pipe G is passeddownward through the central opening of the diaphragm (Z (leaving anannular space through the diaphragm around the pipe) to near the bottomot the inner casiu Above the diaphragn the pipe carries a peripheralfiange 72 of diameter somewhat smaller than the interior of the casingF, and thence connects outwardly by the pipe G' with an open-sightoverflow-vessel H, ar 'anged exteriorly to the crank-case.

The main object of the eonstruction is to inelose a body of liquid asfree froni disturbing influences as possible, thus giving tine andopportunity for the separaton of oil and water to be effected bydifference of specific gravity. Thus the combined oil and water passingthe outer casing through the apertures g enters the annular spacebetween the casings, and, being somewhat protected from disturbinginfluences, the separation of oil and water begins, the oil risingdirectly upward and the water and remaining oil passing through theapertures .e into the inner casing F, where the disturbing influencesare still less effective. Here a further separation takes place, the oilrising and the water and trace of remaining oil passing downward throughthe marginal openings 0 of the diaphragm d. In the lower chamber of thecasing F the final separation is eftected, the oil IOO passing upwardthrough the central opening of the diaphragn d around the pipe G and thewater passing downward and finally upward and outward through the pipe Ginto the overfiow-Vessel H. The purpose of the outer vessel H is to givea Visual indieation at all times of the height of liquid in thecrank-case. The ledge or flange h of the pipe G merely aids inprotecting the body of liquid in the lower casing fromagitating-currents, but may be omitted.

In the modification shownin Figt the trap is secured wholly at theoutside of the crankcase. In this the outer casing F is a completecylindrical box, having a cover h' and entered at one side midway by apipe i' and at the top by a pipej, both extending into the crank-case.Within the crank-case a shield or screen K is preferably arranged beyondthe mouth of the pipe j, as shown.

XVithin the casing F the inner casing E is provided as a mere annularpartition pierced with radial holes at the bottom and entirely open atthe top into the outer casing. The pipe G in this case extends from nearthe bottom of the inner casing centrally outwardthrough the top andenters the overfiow-ves sel H. The action of the trap is substantiallysimilar, the oil and water passing downward through the pipe 'L', thetrapped oil passing back through pipe j, and the water passing throughpipe G to the overfloW-vessel H.

If by any accident the water falls too low in the crank-case, the factis at once disclosed by the open Vessel H, and i-t may be replenished bypouring in said Vessel.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States-- 1. In combination with an engine crankcase wherein ismaintained a body of oil and water for lubrication, an oil-separatingtrap embodying two or more chambers communicating in series and with thecrank-case, the ultimate chamberhaving com munication with thecrank-ease only through its upper portion and provided with an overfiowpipe or passage leading outward from its lower portion, substantially asse't forth.

2. In combination with an engine crankcase wherein is maintained a bodyof oil and water for lubrication, an oil-separating trap embodying twoor more concentric chambers communieating'in series and with thecrankcase, the inner chamber opening into the crank-case only at itsupper portion, opening into its next outer chamber at or near the bottomof the latter, and opening outward independently beyond the erank-casefrom its 4. An oil-separatingtrap enbodying substantially a verticallyextended chamber having a perforated top, an intermediate perforatedpartition above its closed bottom, a concentric outer casing forming anopen annular chamber communicating With the inner chamber above theintermediate perforated diaphragm, and an overfiow pipe or passageleading outward from the lower'portion of the inner chamber,substantially as set forth.

In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. EICKERSHOFF.

VVitnesses:

L. M. HOSEA, HENRY APPLETON.

